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The I.D.E.A. District
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The Power is in the I.D.E.A. Innovation – Design – Education – Arts Why has the concept of a mixed-use district driven by a Design jobs cluster, nourished by Education, enriched by the Arts and focused on Innovation caught the imagination of San Diego business and community leaders? They understand that in the 21st century it will not be enough to rest on our past business success, great weather and beautiful environs. We have to intentionally plan for the future. A future that will see increasing interdependence between design and technology A future that must provide high paying jobs to attract and retain young, creative and educated citizens to ensure our competitive position moving forward And, a future enriched by art, entertainment and recreation, the hallmarks of all great livable and vibrant cities The goal is to enable this vision to become a reality and to unleash the potential it holds to drive new businesses and new jobs for our region. Our aim is to inform, to inspire, and we invite you to participate in shaping this economic development initiative. Starting with the central I.D.E.A. Design: To conceive, invent, execute, or construct according to plan. Cluster: Geographic concentrations of companies, suppliers, support services, financiers, specialized infrastructure, producers of related products, and specialized institutions whose competitive strengths are improved through the existence of shared advantages. Major trends in the global economy, coupled with San Diego’s strategic location, business climate, and entrepreneurial spirit, all point toward the opportunity for the I.D.E.A. District to be the “next big thing”. In addition, there are specific characteristics of the existing district, located on 35 city blocks in San Diego’s Upper East Village, that make it ideal for this use, including the presence of several major educational institutions that emphasize design, multiple small but growing design-related businesses, and a building environment with the appropriate character for this purpose. Making this vision a reality can have a transformational impact on our city by creating as many as 10,000 jobs in the next decade. But this is not an opportunity that will last indefinitely and it requires immediate action.